Renewable Energy

Investments in renewable energy were supposed to be a sure thing, with wind park operators promising annual returns of up to 20 percent. More often than not, however, such pledges have been illusory -- and many investors have lost their principal to boot. By Gunther Latsch, Anne Seith and Gerald Traufettermore...[ Comment ]

Europe's last remaining wild rivers flow through the Balkans, providing stunning scenery and habitat to myriad plants and animals. But hundreds of dam projects threaten to do irreparable harm to the region's unique biospheres -- to provide much needed electricity to the people who live there. By Philip Bethgemore...[ Comment ]

The EU's reputation as a model of environmental responsibility may soon be history. The European Commission wants to forgo ambitious climate protection goals and pave the way for fracking -- jeopardizing Germany's touted energy revolution in the process. By Gregor Peter Schmitz in Brusselsmore...[ Comment ]

The Warsaw conference demonstrated that the "climate summit" model is broken and, more importantly, that capitalism itself is driving us to the brink. Protests are not the solution -- it's time to fight the system using its own weapons. An Essay by Harald Welzermore...[ Comment ]

Renewable energy experts worry that support will fade for climate-related policies in Berlin with the inauguration of the planned new grand coalition government. The UN climate conference and NGOs are responding with pressure on Germany to send a signal that the country is still a leader. By Joel Stoningtonmore...[ Comment ]

An attempt to buy Berlin's energy grid from the Swedish mega firm Vattenfall fell short at the polls on Sunday. Activists argued the company isn't doing enough to foster green energy, while opponents questioned the logistical advantages of a change. more...[ Comment ]

The UK's decision to build a new nuclear power plant has thrown Germany's vow to shut down its own nuclear plants into relief. Critics argue Germany's decision was emotional, not practical -- others disagree. By Rupert Neatemore...[ Comment ]

Germany pretends to be a pioneer in the green revolution. But its massively expensive Energiewende has done nothing to make the environment cleaner or encourage genuine efficiency. One writer argues: Either do it right, or don't do it at all. A Commentary By Alexander Neubachermore...[ Comment ]

European Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger is in Brussels on Monday to present his plan for the future of energy in the EU. He wants to export Germany's push toward renewables to the rest of the Continent -- and for the first time, he actually has the money to do it. By Christoph Paulymore...[ Comment ]

Pumped-storage power plants are an important part of Germany's shift away from nuclear energy. But the facilities are being planned in some of the country's most idyllic areas, leading locals and supporters of renewable energies alike to protest. By Dinah Deckstein in Jachenau, Germanymore...[ Comment ]